Best Pumpkin Cheesecake

We’re sharing the BEST pumpkin cheesecake today! This baked cheesecake is thick and rich with real pumpkin and the perfect amount of pumpkin spice.

What’s the best cheesecake (next to plain baked cheesecake of course)? Pumpkin spice cheesecake!

I love pumpkin pie, but I’d take a slice of creamy pumpkin cheesecake pie over traditional pumpkin pie any day.

I’m taking you step by step through this easy homemade cheesecake recipe that features pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. It’s easy and tastes amazing. THIS is how to impress your holiday guests!

Easy Baked Cheesecake

Most people think that baked cheesecake is hard to make. I’m going to prove to you today that if you follow our instructions step by step, it’s easy.

This cheesecake only takes about 15 minutes to mix up. There’s no need to pull out a stand mixer. And it uses a whole small can of pumpkin puree, meaning no leftover pumpkin to find two months later in the back of your fridge.

Cheesecake Ingredients

Here are the key ingredients you need for cheesecake filling:

• cream cheese. Full fat cream cheese makes the cheesecake the creamiest!
• white AND brown sugar. We use a mix of both. The brown sugar helps the flavor be deeper.
• vanilla extract.
• pumpkin puree. NOT pumpkin pie filling. Just straight up pumpkin.
• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• cloves
• sour cream. We use full fat sour cream. Because this is cheesecake we’re talking about. No reason to try to make it healthy!
• large eggs

Best Crust for Pumpkin Cheesecake

The first step to making a pumpkin cheesecake is to prepare the crust. You can use graham crackers, cinnamon graham crackers, oreos, or golden oreos, but we think gingersnaps are the best.

Use a food processor to mix the crushed crackers, butter and sugar together. Or mix in a bowl. Either way works!

You’ll bake the crust for 5-6 minutes before adding the filling. This will just help the crust hold together better when you are serving it.

How to Make the Best Pumpkin Cheesecake

Mixing the cheesecake batter should take less than 15 minutes. It’s super easy.

How to Mix Cheesecake Batter

• Place the cream cheese in a large bowl. Use 22 ounces of cream cheese which is 2 8-ounce blocks and then an additional 6 ounces. The cream cheese should be at room temperature.
• Use a hand mixer on low speed to cream the cream cheese until it is smooth. Don’t beat too much air into the cream cheese. Mix on low speed just until smooth and any lumps are out.

• With the mixer on low speed, mix in the sugars, vanilla extract and pumpkin. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Mix in the cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
• Mix in the sour cream and mix on low speed just until blended.
• Crack the eggs into a small bowl. Use a hand whisk to gently whisk the eggs together to break up the yolks. Don’t whisk them too much. You don’t want them frothy.

• Add the eggs to the cream cheese mixture and blend the eggs into the cream cheese mixture. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix just until combined.
• Pour the batter into the springform pan with the pre-baked crust.

Baking Pumpkin Cheesecake

• Preheat the oven to 325º Fahrenheit.
• Heat 4 quarts of water on the stove or in the microwave until steaming but not necessarily boiling.
• Pour about an inch and a half of water in a 10×15″ baking pan.
• Place the wrapped springform pan into the water bath.
• The water should come about halfway up the side of the pan. Pour in additional water if needed.

• Place the cheesecake (in the water bath) in the preheated oven.
• Allow the cake to bake for 65 minutes. Do not open the oven.
• After 60 minutes, turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake to sit in the oven for another 5 hours. Don’t open the oven. Just allow the cheesecake to sit in the oven while the oven cools.
• After 5 hours, remove the cheesecake from the oven and the pan.

Did you catch the theme? Don’t open the oven while the cheesecake is baking and cooling. It will cause sudden temperature changes and may cause the cheesecake to crack.

How to Prevent Bubbles in Cheesecake

The key to having a thick, dense cheesecake is to not overmix the batter. Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature so they mix together easily. If you are using a hand mixer, have it on low speed and scrape the sides of the bowl as you mix. After adding the eggs, only mix until the batter is combined.

Some professionals suggest covering the batter and allowing it to refrigerate overnight so any bubbles settle out.

After we pour the cheesecake into the springform pan, we tap it a few times on the cupboard. This helps bubbles come out too!

Do you have to bake cheesecake in a waterbath?

The key way to keep your cheesecake from having cracks is by baking it in a waterbath. It gives the absolute best texture and will help the cake be smooth on top. It also helps the cheesecake to cook evenly. The outside won’t overbake while you are waiting for the inside to heat up.

A cheesecake will still bake without a water bath, but it will not turn out the best.

How long does cheesecake have to chill?

It’s best to let a cheesecake sit in the refrigerator overnight to set completely. Because it takes so long to bake and set, you’ll want to make this at least the day before you serve it.

How to Store Cheesecake

Store cheesecake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Cheesecake actually tastes better when it is not quite as cold, so allow the cheesecake to sit for 20 minutes or so before serving.

Can pumpkin cheesecake be frozen?

Yes! This best pumpkin cheesecake is a great make ahead dessert and can be frozen whole or in slices. Wrap the cheesecake in plastic wrap, then wrap it a second time or place it in an airtight container. Do the same with any slices that you have left over.

You can freeze cheesecake for up to 2 months.

Other Pumpkin Desserts

• pumpkin torte
• pumpkin sourdough cake 
• pumpkin butter cake
• homemade pumpkin cupcakes

Best Pumpkin Cheesecake

5 from 3 votes

We're sharing the BEST pumpkin cheesecake today! This baked cheesecake is thick and rich with real pumpkin and the perfect amount of pumpkin spice.

Servings 12

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 11 minutes

Resting Time 5 hours

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Equipment

• Springform Pan
• Water Bath Mold

Ingredients

 

For the crust:

• 1 1/2 cups gingersnap crumbs
• 6 tablespoons butter melted
• 1 tablespoon sugar

For the cheesecake:

• 22 ounces cream cheese 2 ¾ blocks (room temperature)
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 15 ounces pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 10 ounces sour cream room temperature (about 1 cup + 2 tablespoons)
• 3 large eggs whisked, room temperature

Instructions

 

• **Plan ahead and make sure the cream cheese, sour cream and eggs are at room temperature. This will help the ingredients cream together more smoothly.**
• Spray a 9″ springform pan with cooking spray.

Make the crust:

• Preheat the oven to 325º Fahrenheit.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the gingersnap crumbs, melted butter and sugar.
• Press the crumbs into the bottom of the springform pan.
• Bake the crust for about 6 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the crust to cool completely.
• Place the pan in the silicone water bath mold. Or you can wrap the outside of the springform pan with two layers of foil. This will help seal the bottom so that water doesn’t get in.

Make the cheesecake filling:

• Place the cream cheese in a large bowl. Use 22 ounces of cream cheese which is 2 8-ounce blocks and then an additional 6 ounces. The cream cheese should be at room temperature.
• Use a hand mixer on low speed to cream the cream cheese until it is smooth. Don’t beat too much air into the cream cheese. Mix on low speed just until smooth and any lumps are out.
• With the mixer on low speed, mix in the sugars, vanilla extract and pumpkin. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Mix in the cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
• Mix in the sour cream and mix on low speed just until blended.
• Crack the eggs into a small bowl. Use a hand whisk to gently whisk the eggs together to break up the yolks. Don’t whisk them too much. You don’t want them frothy.
• Add the eggs to the cream cheese mixture and blend the eggs into the cream cheese mixture. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix just until combined.
• Pour the batter into the springform pan with the pre-baked crust.
• Tap the pan on the counter 4-5 times. This will help bring any air bubbles to the top so that they pop. Allow the mixture to sit for about 10 minutes. Tap again if any more air bubbles surface. This will help your cheesecake have a nice thick texture.
• Preheat the oven to 325º Fahrenheit.
• Heat 4 quarts of water on the stove or in the microwave until steaming but not necessarily boiling.
• Pour about an inch and a half of water in a 10×15″ baking pan.
• Place the wrapped springform pan into the water bath.
• The water should come about halfway up the side of the pan. Pour in additional water if needed.
• Place the cheesecake (in the water bath) in the preheated oven.
• Allow the cake to bake for 65 minutes. Do not open the oven.
• After 60 minutes, turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake to sit in the oven for another 5 hours. Don’t open the oven. Just allow the cheesecake to sit in the oven while the oven cools.
• After 5 hours, remove the cheesecake from the oven and the water bath. Remove the foil wrap but leave the the cheesecake in the springform pan to support it.
• Loosely cover the cheesecake on de it is room temperature and place it in the refrigerator to firm up overnight.
• Serve the next day with your favorite toppings.

Notes

The calories shown are based on the cheesecake being cut into 12 pieces, with 1 serving being 1 slice of cheesecake. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**

Nutrition

Calories: 455kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 328mg | Potassium: 258mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 6595IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 2mg

Author Julie Clark

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Calories 455

Keyword best pumpkin cake, cheesecake recipe, thanksgiving dessert

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